Genshin Impact: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable

"Hello, Furina."

Nahida's small ears twitched as she greeted her.

She had been preparing to cuddle up and sleep beside the Great Lord Rukkhadevata when Luo Qing suddenly contacted her through the Void Terminal in the middle of the night, claiming it was something urgent.

Luckily, it was Luo Qing—her dear father.

If it had been anyone else, no one would have dared to interrupt her precious time with Rukkhadevata!

"You… you're…"

Furina froze, unable to recall ever seeing this petite, white-haired girl before.

"Allow me to introduce you…"

Luo Qing's figure suddenly materialized between the two of them.

He stepped behind Nahida and gently ruffled her hair. She leaned into his touch, wearing a contented expression.

"This is the Void Network, Lady Hydro Archon. The green threads you see around us are the connections between the Void Network and the citizens of Fontaine…"

"And her…"

Furina glanced at Nahida, and a realization dawned on her.

"You've guessed it correctly. This is the current god of Sumeru, the Archon Buer. Of course, you can also call her by her name—Nahida~"

"The… the Dendro Archon?!"

Furina's voice trembled as she recoiled in shock.

Even though she had braced herself for something unexpected, hearing Luo Qing's introduction left her reeling.

Truth be told, despite being the Hydro Archon, Furina had never met any of the other ruling Archons before.

"Hello, Furina. I've heard a lot about you from D—uh, Luo Qing."

"I… I…"

Furina stammered, too flustered to respond.

She had always boasted about being the most remarkable of the Seven Archons, but standing face-to-face with the very real Dendro Archon, her pride faltered.

She wanted to put her hands on her hips and proclaim her status as Fontaine's Hydro Archon.

But the words just wouldn't come out.

"I understand you might have some doubts about Luo Qing's identity," Nahida began gently when Furina remained silent. "But I ask you to trust me. Luo Qing's role as Sumeru's envoy is just as legitimate."

"I assure you, Luo Qing harbors no ill intentions toward Fontaine. Please, believe in him."

Nahida's tone was poised and measured. While she was asking for Furina's trust, her words carried a hint of maturity and dignity—a sign of the wisdom she had learned from Rukkhadevata.

As for a certain other white-haired goddess…

Let's just say comparisons wouldn't be fair.

"But… but he's a Fatui!" Furina exclaimed, her voice filled with disbelief.

"You know as well as I do how terrible the Fatui from Snezhnaya can be! Half of Fontaine's criminal cases are tied to them!"

"Luo Qing is different."

Nahida shook her head, her defense of her father unwavering.

"Please believe in him. And believe in me. The Void Terminal is not just his endeavor—it is mine as well…"

Nahida then launched into a detailed explanation of the Void Terminal's uses and benefits, tying it to the current state of Teyvat and the diplomatic relations between Fontaine and Sumeru. She proposed key points for strengthening the bond between their nations.

To summarize in one line:

If you refuse to cooperate and recall the Void Terminal, don't expect our nations to work together in the future.

"Wha…"

Furina was on the verge of tears by the time Nahida finished.

She was only a symbolic Hydro Archon! She knew nothing about politics—that was always Neuvillette's responsibility.

Though her mind wasn't particularly sharp, even Furina understood that her words right now could have serious consequences for diplomacy between their nations.

As the academic hub of Teyvat, Fontaine benefited immensely from scholars returning from Sumeru's Akademiya each year.

If she accidentally cut off that path, her reputation among her people would plummet to an all-time low.

"I… you two…"

Furina glanced between Nahida and Luo Qing, who stood behind her with a look that clearly said, "My daughter is amazing." Her heart suddenly felt utterly wronged.

"I… I don't want to play anymore! Let me go back!"

"Huh?"

Nahida blinked in confusion.

She had envisioned many potential scenarios for negotiating with Fontaine's Hydro Archon, but this…

"I said, you two are ganging up on me! I don't want to play anymore! Let me go back!"

"This…"

Nahida looked up at Luo Qing for help.

Dealing with this situation wasn't something Rukkhadevata had prepared her for. For a moment, she was at a loss.

"You've worked hard, Nahida," Luo Qing said softly, patting her head. "Leave the rest to me."

"…Alright. Come back soon, Luo Qing."

With that, Nahida transformed into a streak of emerald light and vanished from the Void Network.

"She… she left?"

Furina peeked around cautiously.

"Yeah, you scared her off."

Luo Qing huffed lightly. With a wave of his hand, their surroundings reverted to Furina's bedroom.

"I mean… you're a Fatui Harbinger, right? Why are you so close with the Dendro Archon? What's your relationship with her, anyway?"

Without Nahida's intimidating presence, Furina relaxed noticeably.

"Are you sure you want to know?"

Luo Qing leaned in closer.

"Say it if you want. Don't if you don't."

"Fine, I'll tell you." Luo Qing smirked and leaned closer to Furina, his tone dripping with mystery.

"Nahida and I… are family~"

"What?!"

Furina was stunned.

No wonder their dynamic earlier screamed father and daughter!

"You two… don't tell me…"

The previous Dendro Archon was the Great Lord Rukkhadevata herself.

If the current Dendro Archon was Luo Qing's… that, then wouldn't that mean…

Her train of thought halted abruptly.

"Exactly. You're quite perceptive."

Luo Qing's enigmatic smile deepened.

"Well then, my dear Hydro Archon, now that you know a secret even my Empress doesn't, you're obligated to cooperate with me."

"What?!"

Furina's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Why didn't you say this was a secret earlier? And why does it come with strings attached?!"

"You didn't ask."

"…"

Furina crossed her arms, huffing indignantly.

"Hmph! And what if I refuse to cooperate?"

"Well, then I'll have to kill you to ensure the secret stays safe," Luo Qing said nonchalantly.

He shifted his position, sitting closer to Furina's legs, his hand nearly brushing against her feet.

If Furina wanted to keep up her fragile yet haughty act, she would have to react in line with her persona.

And if she didn't, it would break her façade, revealing her true self—something Luo Qing would undoubtedly seize upon.

Either way, he wouldn't lose.

"You… you're going to kill me?!"

Furina's voice shot up in alarm.

How could this man be like this?!

Just days ago, they were sharing late-night conversations, candles burning low. And now, at the first sign of disagreement, he was threatening to kill her to keep his secret?!

What a scumbag!

---

T/N: YOU SCUMBAG

"..."

- Gardevoir

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